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POEMS 



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POEMS 




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d/ Mccormick 




RICHARD G. BADGER 

THE GORHAM PRESS 

BOSTON 



Copyright, 1913, by S. D. McCormick 



11 Rights Reserved 






The Gorham Press, Boston. U. S. a. 



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FOREWORD 

IN this little volume the Author has collected a 
number of short poems which he composed at 
different times. They are arranged in chrono- 
logical order, and were composed at different 
times, covering a period of ten years from 1903- 191 3. 

The subjects are simple, and the poems, for the 
most part, were composed and used as a part of some 
public address. 

The first poem, "The Fireside of Poverty," is 
an unfinished poem. It was begun with the inten- 
tion of making it a poetic romance, setting forth the 
lives of its hero and heroine. 

The Author hopes some day to complete it and 
present it to the public, together with a national epic 
poem, the name of which he here intentionally with- 
holds. This epic poem has not been completed, and 
the reception which this volume meets will deter- 
mine to some extent the time of its completion. 

The Author invites the literary world to criti- 
cise these poems. It is hoped, however, that criti- 
cisms will not be destructive, but constructive, to the 
end that the Author may receive valuable sugges- 
tions. 

Our Biographer, Rev. Orvis T. Anderson, is a 



FOREWORD 

life-long friend. During our college days together 
he remarked one day that he wanted to write my 
biography some day. So when called upon to write 
a brief sketch of my life for this volume, he answered 
in part as follows: "Your favor just received this 
morning. It stormed me by surprise to think of 
being honored with the pleasant task of writing your 
biography. The only difficulty I met in it was in 
the fact that you wanted it short." We are glad to 
acknowledge Mr. Anderson as our Biographer, and 
commend him to the readers of this volume. 

S. D. McCormick. 
Cedar Bluff, Ala., June 24, 1913. 



A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 

FROM his boyhood days on the old 
homestead in south Alabama, the writer 
has known the author of this little volume 
of poems. Side by side we worked our 
way through the preparatory schools and col- 
lege, and in all the years since we have been in 
intimate touch with each other. 

Stephen David McCormick, the author of these 
poems, was born in Jackson county, Fla., Feb. 24, 
1877. He is the second son of five born to A. J. 
and Nancye S. McCormick. 

When our poet was three years old his parents 
moved to Decatur county, Ga., where they lived for 
six years, moving again to Geneva county, Ala., 
where they lived until after this son was grown. 
Country life was all but easy in those formative days 
of south Alabama's development. Schools were few 
and poor — and the same may be said of the popula- 
tion at this period. Here upon a "claim" his father 
settled and with a growing family to support, bat- 
tled with poverty, the ever present peril of frontier 
life. But all through these years our "muse" was 
in intimate touch and fellowship with Mother Na- 
ture, who breathed into his young soul her maternal 
whispers of life in all of its varied forms. 

At the age of twenty-three, though as yet unedu- 
cated except in the common schools, he was married 



A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 

to Miss Lizzie Campbell, a beautiful country lassie 
of whom he himself has said in a personal letter, 
"the wife of my dreams and a helpmeet in my strug- 
gles, though skilled only in simple household affairs." 
Not long after their marriage, together they decided 
that he should enter school. In a neat little cottage 
they lived, sharing their privations happily together, 
while he completed a course preparatory for 
college work. The next stake was set for 
college and here a life of privation and sacrifice was 
the rule, and luxury and comfort the exception. 
College days were over by-and-by and a position 
was awaiting him at Draketown, Ga., as principal 
of Draketown Baptist Institute, which position he 
held honorably for three years. Then he became 
Principal of Gaylesville Academy, Gaylesville, Ala., 
where he has labored honorably since until recently 
when he resigned to become editor of the "Cedar 
Bluff Cherokeean," a weekly newspaper published 
at Cedar Bluff, Ala. 

The writer here makes no attempt at a critical 
study of his poems. That is left for the reader. 
But having read many of his poems in manuscript 
before this little book was contemplated, I bespeak 
for it a wide circle of appreciative readers. 

Orvis T. Anderson, 
Pastor First Baptist Church, Mannington, W . Va. 

June 14, 1913. 



CONTENTS 

Page. 

A Biographical Sketch 5 

The Fireside of Poverty 1 1 

Thought and Observation 15 

Ball-Bearing 17 

The Brave, The Noble Few 19 

A Look into the Next Century 21 

Stand Pat 24 

Similes 26 

What is the Almighty 28 

An Imaginary Dream 30 

Just Punch the Bag 33 

A Triple Pantomine 34 

The Merry-Go-Round 35 

The Noble B. C. 1 38 

Present Time 39 

The Unit of Life 41 

Praise and Reproof 43 

Little Things for Jesus 45 

Personal Responsibility 46 

The Fount of Youth 47 

Science 50 

My Studio 51 

Howard 1908 52 

Three Golden Links 54 

Thanksgiving 56 

The Bible Teacher 58 

Forward 60 



POEMS 



THE FIRESIDE OF POVERTY 

An aged man with yearning eye 

Sat smoking in his usual way, 
His modest wife was sitting by 

And talked about some former day. 

Of by-gone days when they were young 
They talked in simple child-like ways; 

When life's real song they'd never sung, 
Nor felt the cares of later days ; 

When joys with them came quick and fast, 
When sorrows they had never felt; 

When their young hearts with youthful craft 
Were linked with hymeneal-welt. 

To these bright days they turned their thought 
When in their dreams they seemed to see 

All things for which they'd ever sought, 
But waking just to see them flee. 

They moved with ease within their sphere, 
With lightsome taunts to blight their minds; 

They greeted all with right good cheer, 
And these were always pleasant times. 

The pink of youth was in full bloom, 
The spring of childhood not yet gone, 

The rose of mirth gave its perfume, 
The robe of peace they now had on. 

Let him who reads reflect just here, 
And think a moment, my dear friend, 

How glad the vernal atmosphere 
Of early youth to you hath been. 

II 



When round your father's cottage door 
From early morn till close of day 

You sang your songs of childish lore, 
A simple, modest, child-like way. 

Engaged in games of simple sport, 
With cheerful hand and beaming eye, 

You had no sorrows to distort 
The merry time that flitted by. 

While father toiled from morn till night 
With wearied brain or sweating brow, 

Engaged in work with all his might 
His little household to endow. 

While mother with her gentle hand 
Kept neatly all the joyous day 

All things within the household stand 
O'er which she held a mother's sway. 

Yes, father and dear mother, too, 

Went hand-in-hand, like man and wife, 

And did those things good parents do 
To live a faithful, honest life. 

While we have thus with mental flight 
Reflected back to early times, 

I trust that we have not lost sight 

Of them of whom we write these lines. 

But we can now within our minds 
Imagine how this aged twain 

A thought its inmost being finds 
Reflective force upon their brains. 

12 



As we have said, 'twas these bright days 

That lingered on their memory, 
And drove from them the darksome rays 

Of dire, oppressive poverty. 

Who hath not seen a man and wife 
Go forth from their parental home, 

Join each to each their future life 

To share whate'er to them may come? 

Their hearts are filled with ecstacy, 

Their cheeks are flushed with buoyant love, 

Their speech is marked with jolity, 
Their steps, like dew drops from above. 

Thus Johnny Green and Mary Brown — 
For these were their parental names — 

Began their mystic journey down 

The stream of time, to pleasant dreams. 

At first they lived at Pleasant Hill, 

A lonely cottage in the woods, 
Where they could roam with right good will 

And view dame nature's store of goods. 

Here they set up their family, 

God's law fulfilled by them; 
'Twas founded on humility, 

The noblest trait of righteous men. 

That spark of love within their hearts 

That filled their home with pleasant deeds 

Forever showed its brighter parts, 

And glowed like sparkling diamond beeds; 

13 



Not like a snow flake in the sun 
That in the atmosphere will hide, 

But like the little brooks that run 
Forever down the mountain side. 

What riches more may one desire 

Than gracious store of pleasant thoughts, 

What wisdom could the more inspire 

Than that which second childhood taught? 



H 



THOUGHT AND OBSERVATION 

If you would have a polished mind 
You must observe all things you find 
With careful eye and thinking brain, 
And note what facts from it you gain. 

The simple truths contained in books, 
To him who through each volume looks, 
Are but the fruits of thinking men 
Conveyed by some wise author's pen. 

When thus its facts we do obtain, 
And stamp them back upon our brain, 
We need to look around and see 
If any other facts there be 

That books we've studied never had, 
That to our knowledge we may add 
Some extra facts of useful lore, 
And thus improve our mental store. 

'Tis true that men of great renown, 

In all the ages past have found 

That they their noblest thoughts have wrought 

From observation's delving thought. 

The gifted poet in his lays 
Presents to us in many ways 
The works of Nature in her screen 
Of wondrous solitude serene. 

He delves into the misty past, 

And from its facts he'll then contrast 

Some visionary object true, 

And bring it out within full view. 

15 



So we can understand the myth 
As if we were encountered with 
The very thing that only is 
In that creative mind of his. 

The future he contrives to tell, 

And goes about his work so well 

That things which never have been known 

Appear, like walls of solid stone, 

To stand up boldly in full view, 
So we have nothing else to do 
But view the facts as they are told 
And then their truthfulness behold. 

Then thought is father of all things, 
And observation is its wings 
That to the mind of man reveals 
All things that education feels. 

Lift up your eyes, then, weary man, 
And view the place where Wisdom dwells, 
Her doors unlock to him who can 
But read the truth her face foretells. 



16 



BALL-BEARING 

Now what should be the bearing, sir, 
Of him who fills the teacher's sphere ; 
Who takes upon himself the yoke 
To guide aright at every stroke; 
To mold the germ of youthful thought 
Into a mind with wisdom wrought; 
To polish each defective part 
That lurks within each student's heart; 
To teach each student in his school 
How to observe the Golden Rule; 
To please the parents of the child, 
And then receive their praises mild? 
I answer you without a fear 
That it should be ball-bearing, sir. 

Oh what should be the bearing, sir, 
Of him who fills the teacher's sphere, 
When some refuse to do the right 
From early morn till shades of night; 
In whom the germ of youthful thought 
Is with the evil spirit fraught; 
Who always look about for fun, 
And see each little thing that's done; 
And when the teacher's back is turned 
Each mandate now is naught but spurned ; 
But now the parents of this child 
Heap up their curses loud and wild? 
Now I would say just here, my friend, 
That it should be ball-bearing then. 



17 



But what should be the bearing, sir, 
Of him who fills the teacher's sphere, 
When he is molding noble youth 
Into great monuments of truth ; 
When the young hearts before him stand 
That shall some day control the land ; 
That shall be warriors strong and bold, 
And with enlightened nations hold 
Their sway supreme, in knowledge blessed, 
And with the gifts of God possessed, 
Extend the mighty works of men 
That other boys some day shall pen? 
O yes, dear sir, I do avow 
That it should be ball-bearing now. 

Yes, what should be the bearing, sir, 
Of him who fills the teacher's sphere, 

When house and land and church and state 
Are in his hand, both small and great ; 
When author's pen and lawyer's brief. 
When statesman's brain and chieftain's fief, 
When God and home and native land, 
And all that's good and great and grand 
Are to be honored by his line ; 
For herein lies the whole design: 

To train bright youth as it should be 
And then 'twill ne'er depart from thee? 
Now surely you and I agree 
That it should be ball-bearing, free. 



18 



THE BRAVE, THE NOBLE FEW 

To 'spouse a cause and seek to gain 

Our motives by our means 
Deserves applause, if in the main 

We fight against a cause that weans 
Our homes from liberty. 

Where wisdom reigns, and justice holds 

The helm of state in hand, 
And comrades' gains in plastic molds 

Are reverenced in our father-land 
Our homes have liberty. 

But when the hand of schism falls 

Upon the rights of noble men 
The brave will stand, obey the calls, 

And strive with all their might to save 
Their homes from tyranny. 

Though they may fail to gain the cause 

For which they fight so true, 
The barque, though frail, no less should pause 

Beside the overpowered few 
Who lose the victory. 

But grant to each his just salute, 

The Brave, The Noble Few, 
Who failed to reach the more astute 

And thwart the overwhelming crew 
Who gained the victory. 



19 



The might}' gain, the weak must fall 

As victims at their feet. 
And thus are slain the brave'st of all : 

The man who's not afraid to meet 
His death for liberty. 

And when the scroll of life doth part 

On that eternal morn, 
We'll then behold that noble heart 

That fought in the terrific storm 
Of the Confederacy. 



20 



A LOOK INTO THE NEXT CENTURY 

A mere attempt of finite mind 

To try to sketch a future scene 
Is naught but vain. At first we find 

Before our mind a shapeless screen 

Which plainly shows all perfect facts 

To be implied within its brow, 
And all the truth of future lacks 

An impress on its flitting prow. 

The shrine of Truth is firmly placed 
On this e'er present screen, and here 

We kneel before the throne which traced 
This screen along its changing sphere. 

This screen we call the Present-Time — 

That ever fleeting orb of chance — 
Which makes the music aptly chime 

With every actor in the dance. 

Which locks the wild beast in his cave, 
And clips the eagle from his wing: 

Which lays the gray hair in the grave, 
And views the planets in their swing. 

It holds the key of all time past, 

It sets the future's doors ajar; 
And it purports to bring at last 

All things before the judgment bar. 

But grant that we can through this screen 

Behold the mighty future's brow 
As it is couched within its dream 

To wake an hundred years from now, 

21 



Perchance we see a flick' ring light 

Reveal the dim outline of time, 
And sketch the future scene with slight, 

But unrelenting, flexive prime. 

This scene reveals a wondrous change 
In many things which now adorn; 

And shows us things which now seem strange, 
But old in that centennial morn. 

We see the steam horse out of breath 
As he with lightning swiftness goes, 

While each who rides, to keep from death, 
Must hold a sponge before his nose. 

We see the air-ship mounted high 

Above the ocean's mighty wave 
Where wrecks, if made, are in the sky, 

And none e'er meet a watery grave. 

We see the wire-tongued telephone 
Give place to wireless telegraphy, 

When news from the remotest home 
Is given almost instantly. 

We see the hearthstone's vacant seat 

Beside a great converging lens 
Which utilizes latent heat 

That nature's store so gladly lends. 

We might go further with this ruse, 
And picture irom this wondrous scene 

Which our imaginative muse 

Perceives through this e'er changing screen. 

22 



But ah! 'tis all a school boy's dream, 
A tale bedecked with penury, 

Which offers to the class we deem 
A view of the next century. 



n 



. STAND PAT 

There is a queer colloquial phrase, 

Perhaps without a real design, 
But there is something in its phase 
That makes its use somewhat sublime 
To him who sees in words a truth 
Although their utt'rance be uncouth, 
That is: Stand pat. 

If you appeal to logic's laws 

For proof of any doubtful lore 
You can but summarize your cause 
In words, and they are nothing more 
Than signs of what you wish to tell 
Arranged in line so very well 
That they stand pat. 

Would you attempt to glean some facts 

From nature's many hidden truths 
You lose yourself in boundless tracts 

Of thought, and then you're left to muse 
Upon unworded knowledge that you 
Cannot explain, all you can do 
Is just stand pat. 

Would you attain to wisdom's way 

And reap the pearls of magic good 
Which holds the psychic man at bay 
In universal brotherhood, 

Then learn a lesson from this line: 
Though all things else from you decline 
You must stand pat. 



24 



Would you achieve an honored name 

Among your fellow countrymen 
And reach the lauded heights of fame 
Where worth has risen from his den, 
Among the more astute, to greet 
The struggling hordes with whom they meet, 
Then just stand pat. 

Would you assail the Tempter's fang 

Which bids you from your place retreat, 
When clouds of doubt around you hang 
And you are threatened with defeat, 
Then come, renew yourself again, 
And you will find 'tis not in vain 
If you stand pat. 

Now, boys and girls, would you aspire 

To noble deeds, and reap the joys of life, 
While yet the germ of youthful fire 
Is in your breasts; then shun all strife, 
Consider well in thought and deed, 
And ever to the right give heed, 
And just stand pat. 



25 



SIMILES 

As the mocking bird chirps in the morning air 
With varied notes of pleasant cheer, 

So you may swell the glad chorus, sir, 

With pleasant tones in every sphere, 
While echoes of myrth and glad refrain 
Are wafted back with every strain. 

As the sparkling dew drop in the early morn 
With brilliant shades the flowers adorn, 

So you may kiss with bright lips of peace 

And give some one a sweet release 
From shadows of night and bid them come 
And join the throng, a happy one. 

As the morning glory blooms in the morning light 
With tints so rare in floral plight, 

So you may stand in your youthful days 

For truth and beauty in all ways 
For herein we have fulfilled the plan 
Which was designed for mortal man. 

As the icicles melt in the noon day sun 

And sparkling waters begin to run, 

So you may warm some cold, broken heart 
With beaming smiles and cheerful art, 

With pleasant tones and cheerful deeds 

That heal each broken heart that bleeds. 

As the turbid waves roll on the mighty deep 

When winds across its bosom sweep, 
So you may shake the beguiling fiend 
That roves, the tears of grief to send, 

If only you use serenely true 

The breath of life that God gave you. 

26 



As the four o'clock blooms in the evening ray 

And drops its head at close of day, 
So you may shine in the eve of life 
A towering monarch 'gainst all strife, 

And dropping your head at death's dark door 

Achieve a home forevermore. 

While the whip-poor-will mourns his doleful sound 
At evening twilight o'er your mound, 

Your soul in realms of bliss may shine 

In robes of peace and love divine, 
Around our greater Father's hearth 
With all redeemed ones from our earth. 



27 



WHAT IS THE ALMIGHTY? 

What is God that we should serve Him, 

What dominion has he within, 
What power to save one of us, 
Filthy worms of the mother dust? — 
Inquires the infidel. 

Many people believe in God, 
But do not believe in His word; 

Believe not that He will descend 

To comfort filthy, sinful men, — 
For this would not seem well. 

For God in His great majesty, 
In all His spotless purity, 

Cannot descend from His high throne 

To visit man in his meek home, 
Reason they in their minds. 

God made the heaven and the earth, 

All things therein He gave birth, 
How can we think for one moment 
That He who made them will consent 
Now to leave them alone. 

The watchful eye of God above 
In beams of light and purest love, 

Doth pierce the heavens through and through 

With rays of beauty, always true 
To every angel there. 

So, also, doth His vision fall 
To each denison of this ball, 

And gives a ray of righteous light 
To guide humanity aright, 
If they will only heed. 
28 



Upon the circle of the earth, 
Around each meek and humble hearth, 
The throne of God is occupied 
And mercy to the world supplied, 
Freely given to all. 

Upon the surface of the sea, 

Like Jesus did on Galilee, 

He cheers the sailor's fainting soul 
And makes stormed tossed mariners bold 
If they but trust in Him. 

The eye of God sees every thing, 
He sees the sparrow on the wing, 
He sees the night-hawk in the barn, 
He sees the plow boy on the farm, 
As if 'twere face to face. 

He watches you and me each day, 
He speeds the planets on their way, 
He guides the wind that sways the trees, 
He tunes the hum of bumble-bees, — 
God is all and in all. 

Not anything doth fall to naught, 
Not any workmanship is wrought, 
Unless the will of God doth say 
You cannot live till dawn of day, — 
We're all at His command. 

We should serve God for He is good, 
We should not against Him intrude, 

We should not doubt His power to save, 
For there is rest beyond the grave 
If we but trust in Him. 
29 



AN IMAGINARY DREAM 

While I pondered weak and weary 
Over a perplexing query, 

In my heart was deep unrest 
And a longing after peace 

With a repugnant behest 
That I sought in vain to cease. 

Thus I laid me down to sleep 
In the drowsy summer air 

And I dreamed a dream, now keep 
What I say with watchful care, 

For I have a truth to teach 

That applies alike to each. 

At the edge of a vast forest, 

Dense and trackless, without chorist, 

I was standing, in my dream 
There appeared a great desire 

To explore the rapturous scene 
WTiich my mind didst now inspire: 

Mist and darkness over it hung 
That appalled, but on the sky, 

Like the radiant sunbeam flung 
From the sunbeam courts on high, 

There appeared a brilliant light 

Clad in sunbeam-robes of white. 

From the forest's abrupt margin 
Rose a mountain wild and barren 

Till its topmost peak was lost 
From my view among the clouds, 

And its barren heights, like frost, 
Radiant with their icy shrouds, 

Now somewhat repelled my thoughts 
That somehow constrained my mind 

30 



To explore the forest; wrought 
Up by an impulsive kind 
Of potential courage bold 
I sat out to reach the goal. 

When I started on my journey, 
And had sought a path to enter, 

There came thither one who stood 
By my side and said that he, 

In a kind and gentle mood, 
As a guide to me would be 

If I'd only follow him, 
And agree not to desert 

Though the way grew rough and dim ; 
That with foot steps e'er alert 

We would cross the mountain height 

And there view the brilliant light. 

So we traveled on together 
Though assailed by many a tempter; 

One would say, "Come follow me, 
Come and I will show you, sir, 

All whose names, as you may see, 
In the halls of fame appear:" 

Then another one would say, 
"Come, we'll join the halls of wealth;" 

Those who missed the better way, 
Those who profit by their stealth; 

Many other plans were tried 

To decoy me from my guide. 

But I followed him more closely 
Notwithstanding all the tempters, 

And he led me safely up 
To the mountain's snow-capped peak; 

31 



Oh, we drank a bitter cup, 
But with joy we now could speak, 

For we'd found the light at last 
That we spoke about above, 

Though by sunbeams 'twas not cast, 
But by noble deeds of love; 

All whose names are free from strife 

And are in the book of life. 



32 



JUST PUNCH THE BAG 

'Tis said that most prize fighters, 

While practicing to fight, 
Suspend a bag of sand 

From some propitious height, 
And then, stone like, they stand 

Just where the bag is wont to be — 

To make their muscles hard and free, 
That they might meet with equal force 
The foe in each competing course — 

And just punch the bag. 

If we would be great teachers 

And rank with other men 
Whose field of thought is ripe, ' 

Bedecked with many a gem 
Of truth in beauteous type: 

Then we must stand as they have stood, 

Our minds in a determined mood 
To profit by each fitting chance 
And thus our mental sphere enhance — 

And just punch the bag. 

If we would, (like strong eagles 

That rise above the clouds, 
Though fiercest storms assail, 

And bathe their rain-washed shrouds 
Where sunlight e'er prevails), 

Compete with men and measures here, 

And hold our own in every sphere, 
And not as weaklings faint and die, 
Then let this motto be our cry, 

We'll just punch the bag. 

33 



A TRIPLE PANTOMINE 

Could I unfold the scroll of time 
Before the screen of all mankind, 

Me thinks I'd see a pantomine 
Display a triple scene combined — 
Great panoramic quakers. 

The first scene shows all those who lead 
In any work, though great or small, 

That makes for peace, and they, indeed, 
Are those with crowns whom we shall call 
Opportunity makers. 

The next scene shows the second class 
Who follow peace in robes of fame, 

And grasp the chances as they pass, 

And these are they whom we shall name 
Opportunity takers. 

The third scene shows all those who stand 
Against the right and always try 

To bring discord on every hand. 

And here's the name we know them by : 
Opportunity Breakers. 



34 



THE MERRY-GO-ROUND 

From shirt sleeve to shirt sleeve, 
Like a merry-go-round 
Which revolves in the breeze 
With a musical sound, 
Are the races of men 
That are now or have been. 

As one man with his sleeves 
Rolled above his elbows, 
And his pants to his knees, 
Toils among his fellows, 
Like a hero at work 
With a wonderful quirk 
Of the means in his hands, 
Which dame-fortune provides, 
And with sternness demands, 
As the Czar who presides 
Over Russia to-day, — 
Such a man must obey 
The conditions of life, 
And continue to toil, 
Not-with-standing the strife, 
Lest his life he should foil, 
Become weary and die, 
As a man passing by 
The Oasis of life 
Where the sweet water flows, 
Who, with mind stern and rife, 
His onward journey goes 
Till faint and out of breath 
In the valley of death. 

But, indeed, should he toil 
With a courageous hand, 
35 



In the fruit-yielding soil 
Of available land, 
Though his chances be few 
And his hair wet with dew 
Which descends on his head 
While pursuing his work, 
And his neighbors in bed, 
Sleeping sound as a turk, 
He will begin to rise 
Like a lark toward the skies. 

Continuing this flight 
On industrious wings, 
As the morning sun lights 
The condition of things, 
So himself he may bathe 
In economic rays. 

And at last at noon-day, 
Midst the heat of the flight, 
Be enabled to pay 
For the personal right 
To approach with a bound 
To the merry-go-round 
Of the world's gentlemen, 
Where with ease he may rest 
From his labors, and then, 
Without naught to infest 
Him with cares of this world 
He reclines with wings furled; 
And enjoys for awhile 
The indulgence of wealth, 
And with joy he may smile, 
With expressions of health, 
Upon those on the ground 
Near the merry-go-round. 

36 



But at length, without thought, 
He becomes dizzy; all 
Things are now set at naught; 
With a crash he doth fall 
From the merry-go-round 
To the world's dumping ground. 



37 



THE NOBLE B. C. I. 

To thee, O Alma Mater, 
Our song we gladly raise, 

And as we leave thy portal 
We waft to thee our praise. 

Chorus : 

To thee, O Alma Mater, 
The fairest 'neath the sky, 

The queen of truth and wisdom, 
The noble B. C. I. 

O thou doth deal so gently 

To all within thy care, 
Thou art, indeed, a refuge 

To every pupil here. 

And O, the many lessons 

We've learned beneath thy bowers 
Shall never cease to linger 

Within these hearts of ours. 

O, thou hast molded gently 

Our lives in nobler form, 
And we shall bear thine impress 

Wherever we may roam. 



38 



PRESENT TIME 

While I was resting from my work 
Imagination's Muses came, 

And I was carried on their wings 
Where Dream-land's fairy music rings, 
Where visionary agents lurk 
About for speculative game. 

The Muses placed me by the side 
Of lovely Nature's great highway, 
And said: "The first who passes here 
Can give you information, sir, 
Of everything; with him you ride, 
And learn the lessons of his day." 

Before I gave them my reply 
Behold there came a traveler 

Who rode with speed as quick as time, 
And I, as swift as thought in prime, 
Got on his horse as he passed by, 
And was received with courtesy. 

Said I to him: "What is thy name?" 
Said he: "My name is Present-Time, 
And he who'd learn what things I hold 
Within my store of things untold 
Must mount my steed, blush not with shame, 
For I pass all just once in time." 

Again I ask: "From whence art thou?" 
Said he: "I came from yonder's place 
Where time itself began to be; 
And none but those who've rode with me 
Can claim a place of honor now 
In things that ages past embrace." 

39 



Once more I ask: "Where goest thou?" 
Said he: "I'm on my journey home 
Where I shall rest from toil and care, 
And he who'd dwell with me o'er there 
Must make the preparation now, 

And grasp the chances as they come." 

Just here the Muses took me up 
And bore me safely back to rest, 

And said: "What you have heard is true, 
And it should be a guide to you ; 
If you drink freely of this cup 

Your name will be forever blessed." 



40 



THE UNIT OF LIFE 

At first in every living plant 

There is a single cell 
Possessed with all the attributes 

Of life and growth as well; 
And when the plant begins to grow 

This is the way 'tis done: 
The little cell divides itself 

And forms another one, 
And these again divide themselves 

And on the process goes 
In root and trunk, in branch and stem, 

In every part that grows. 

In every living animal 

The germ of life we find 
To be incased within a cell 

Of protoplasmic kind, 
And as this cell divides in twain 

The growth doth here begin; 
And these in turn divide again, 

For each has life within; 
And on and on the process goes, 

Until the work is done, 
And thus you see, like begets like, 

And not another one. 

When first the Holy Spirit came 

And touched the heart of man 
It was divided as a cell 

And thus the work began ; 
The Cell of Life divides in twain, 

There's nothing new besides, 
But of the first each is a part, 

The old cell just divides, 

41 



And each by common law is bound 

In Nature's Tree of Life, 
Where "all in all" are free from death 

Throughout eternal life. 

Now in the plant and animal, 

And in the Cell of Life, 
We see the same hypothesis 

Obtains in each alike, 
And every thing with life within 

To one of these is passed, 
And must conform in every sense, 

To that with which 'tis classed, 
In doing what 'twas made to do 

Until its work is done, 
It then may rest in quietude 

Throughout all time to come. 



42 



PRAISE AND REPROOF 

For one to make the proper use 
Of praise as well as of reproof 

He must be governed by a law 
That he may know just what to do, 

And then there'll never be a flaw 
In any course he may pursue. 

This law should state what acts demand 
Reproof or praise at his own hand, 

And here's the way the law should read 
Give praise for right, reproof for wrong, 

That he may judge of every deed 
And issue justice all along. 

Give praise for right and nothing more 
For right is right from shore to shore; 

And he who gives a word of praise 
Becomes an advocate for right, 

And thus it is that he displays 
The Morning Star of truthful light. 

Give praise for right, for they entwine, 
And right unpraised may cease to shine, 

But praise bestowed improperly 
Oft loses both itself and friend, 

Becomes deceitful flattery, 
And proves unhelpful in the end. 

Reproof for wrong the rule should be, 
For wrong is wrong on land or sea; 

And he who dares the wrong reprove 
Assails the enemy of right, 

And by his act he may remove 
The mist which blinds the port of light. 

43 



Rebuke the wrong, for this is right, 
For wrong unguarded proves a blight, 

But when improperly reproved 
A deeper dye of wrath is cast, 

Which cannot be at all removed, 
But clings more closely to the last. 



44 



LITTLE THINGS FOR JESUS 

A little view for Jesus 

And the happy way 
Will be a means of leading 

To the golden day. 

A little word for Jesus 

Uttered now and then 
May be a means of saving 

Many sinful men. 

A little light for Jesus 

Beaming in your life 
May lead some straying sinner 

To eternal life. 

A little work for Jesus 

Though it may be small 
Shall surely be rewarded, 

For He rewardeth all. 

A little gift for Jesus 

In the proper time 
Will help some needy creature 

To a better clime. 

A little life for Jesus 

Placed at His command 
Can be a mighty power 

In the Master's hand. 

A little sheaf for Jesus 

Garnered all along 
Will fill the Holy City 

With a mighty throng. 
45 



PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY 

We have the question clear and plain, 
"Am I my brother's keeper?" 

Echo answers every strain, 
"I am my brother's keeper." 

For since no man can live alone 

In this low land of sorrow, 
'Tis true he cannot die alone 

And meet the dread to-morrow. 

For there's a oneness in mankind 
That binds them all together, 

And makes of each a kindred mind 
And thus of each a brother. 

And as we keep our friend to-day, 
The one who is our brother, 

Just so shall we be kept some day 
By Christ, the Elder brother. 



46 



THE FOUNT OF YOUTH 

There was once a traveler, 
In a strange and barren land, 

Who was lost among the rocks 
In the bleaching desert sand; 

He had wandered here and there, 
With an eagerness of mind, 
In a vain attempt to find 

An oasis anywhere. 

Worn and weary in his search 
He at length had stopped to rest, 

And there came to him three men 
Each of whom he then addressed ; 

Saying, "Sirs, my name is Peace, 
And I'm lost and must abide 
Here alone, unless a guide 

Kindly gives me some relief." 

Now the first one to reply 

Said, "My name is Power, sir, 

And if you will go with me 
You will never surfer here ; 

You can make for men the law, 
And may have at your command 
All the wealth of every land 

Which will aid you in your cause." 

Then the second one replied, 
Saying, "Pleasure is my name; 

And if you will go with me 
You can join in every game, 

And can have all kinds of fun, 
Passing gently every day 

47 



In a pleasant quiet way, 
Where no work is ever done." 

Finally, in gentle tones 

Said the third, "My name is Truth, 
And if you will go with me 

We will find the Fount of Youth 
Where each pilgrim in distress 

May obtain eternal peace, 

Where his joys no more shall cease, 
All eternal happiness." 

Having heard what each proposed 
Peace accepted that of Truth, 

And with eagerness began 

Searching for the Fount of Youth; 

Through the barren desert wild 

Truth and Peace did wend their way 
Almost till the close of day, 

Ever cheerful, ever mild. 

Finally a dim outline 

Far away appeared in sight, 

In the midst of which was seen 
Gently gleaming a small light ; 

As the two still nearer drew 
Both the outline and the light 
Grew more plainly to their sight, 

They were seen more surely true. 

As they drew still nearer by 

Seemed the outline to give way, 

And the light increasing still 
Seemed to get as broad as day ; 

4 8 



Peace, amazed, now looked for Truth ; 
As before Truth did not seem, 
But with light he now did gleam 

In the sparkling Fount of Youth. 

Like the wise men of the east 

Peace had found the Fount of Youth 
Opened in King David's house, 

Being led to it by Truth, 
Who became a victor when 

Came the Prince of Peace as King, 

And he heard the angels sing 
"Peace on earth, good will to men." 



49 






SCIENCE 

I have heard the music rise 
In strains beyond the azure skies, 
Which gave the music of the stars 
And sun and moon in all their choirs. 

I have seen the earth unfold 
Her hidden store of truth untold 
Of every age and every clime, 
And how her elements combine. 

I have seen the fountain head 

From whence the germ of life hath sped, 

And how it grows and multiplies 

In every creature 'neath the skies. 

I have seen the plants which grow 
And flourish in their clime, you know, 
And how they gather all their needs 
And form their likeness in their seeds. 

I have seen the Spirit move 
Within His mighty sphere of love, 
And with His cloven tongue of fire 
Announced to me his chief desire. 

I have seen where Nature dwells 
And heard the wondrous tale she tells, 
Of how her laws have been made known 
By means of Science, that alone. 



50 



MY STUDIO 

When the sky is bright and fair 
In the pleasant, balmy air, 

With delight I often go 

To my woodland studio, 
In the woods among the trees 

Near a gently flowing spring, 
Where the sweetness of the breeze, 

And the songs the birds do sing 
Lend a charm to me 
Fraught with liberty. 

Seated here beside a pine 
On a chestnut root so fine, 

By a rough-made bench of wood 

I am in my native mood; 
Here sometimes I bring a book 

And some truth investigate, 
Often though I stop and look 

At some things in nature's state, 
For 'tis here I see 
Things which most charm me. 

Oh, I like to see the trees 
Gently swaying in the breeze, 

And the swelling buds unfold 

When is past the winter cold, 
Like to see the butterfly 

As it flits from place to place, 
And I like to linger by 

To admire the daisy's face, t 
And the things which grow 
Near my studio. 

51 



HOWARD 1908 

How can my Muse want subject to invent 

While thou dost breathe, that pour'st into my verse, 

Maker of Men, thine own sweet argument 

Too excellent for any to rehearse; 

O, give thyself the thanks, if aught in me 

Worthy perusal stand against thy sight; 

For who's so dumb that cannot write of thee, 

When thou thyself dost give invention light? 

O, how thy praise with manners may I sing 

When thou art all the better part of me? 

What can mine own praise to mine own self bring? 

And what is't but mine own when I praise thee? 

Ah, here's the joy: to be a graduate 

Of Howard in the class of nineteen-eight. 

(Of Howard College, be it soon or late). 

Oh, Howard, thou dost stand like some tall oak, 
Which has withstood the storms and winter's blast; 
Thou hast escaped unhurt from every stroke 
Which has infested thee within the past, 
And standeth now to cast thy shadow forth 
Upon all those who come within thy range; 
And thou hast wrought a work of magic worth 
Which everchanging time cannot estrange ; 
But ever, like the morning sun of May 
Kissing with lovely face the meadows green, 
The work which thou hast done shall speed its way 
To gladden other hearts with wondrous sheen; 
But here's the joy: to be a graduate 
Of Howard in the class of nineteen-eight. 

Eternity alone can estimate 
The measure of thy influential strength; 
The rays of light which from thee emanate, 

52 



As through a lens of mighty focal length, 

Shine through the lives of those whom thou dost 

teach, 
And then are focalized beyond the skies; 
And many whom thy shrine can never reach 
Shall feel the light of those whom thou dost energize, 
And in this twice reflected light shall shine 
The nobler part of other lives than us, 
Who never have so much as seen thy shrine ; 
O what a joy to be illuminated thus; 
But greater joy to be a graduate 
Of Howard in the class of nineteen-eight. 

Though mountain tops be bowed to meet the sea, 

And meadows cease to be a thing of time, 

Fond recollections ceasing here of thee 

Shall be recorded in another clime; 

And though thy walls should crumble into dust, 

And all thy friends be silent in the tomb, 

Your guiding star would hold the blessed trust 

Which God and man have put within thy womb, 

For thou dost generate a memory 

Of lasting force within the minds of men, 

Which shall remain throughout eternity; 

But nothing can excel from now till then 

The blissful joy to be a graduate 

Of Howard in the class of nineteen-eight. 



53 



THREE GOLDEN LINKS 

Three golden links should bind our lives 

From early days of youth 
Till we shall meet beyond the skies 

In friendship, love and truth. 

These links we're moulding while we live 

Within our mortal hearts, 
And all who wear them ever give 

The counter-sign's chief parts. 

This counter-sign when best expressed 

Presents for open view 
The presence in the human breast 

Of something good and true, 

Which keeps the lips from evil things, 

And fills the eye with light, 
That shows the throne upon which reigns 

The soul in spotless white. 

The link of friendship gives support 

To those in dire distress, 
And all who to its charms resort 

It never fails to bless. 

The link of love dispels the cloud 

And lets the sunlight in, 
It drives the darkness to its shroud 

And makes the whole world kin. 



54 



The link of truth completes the chain 
That forms the golden strand, 

And those who wear it hope to gain 
Some day the promised land. 

Then let us wear this chain of gold, 
Of friendship, love, and truth, 

A badge of honor to the old 
As well as to the youth. 



55 



THANKSGIVING 

We've met to-day 

In glad array 
As neighbors and as friends, 

To join in song 

As one glad throng 
While heart with Nature blends. 

But why have we, 

As thus you see, 
On this Thanksgiving day, 

Each left our home 

And here have come 
To sing and talk and pray? 

Long years before 

On Plymouth's shore 
This custom was begun, 

At harvest time 

In that blest clime 
The Pilgrims met as one. 

As one they came 

To praise His name 
Who gave them boundless stores 

Of precious yields 

From all their fields 
On those New England shores. 

This custom grew 

From just a few 
To those on ev'ry hand 

Where now is found 

The world around 
The banners of our land. 

56 



Now we belong 

To this great throng 
Who meet in this same way, 

Their songs to raise 

To God in praise 
On this Thanksgiving day. 

Then let us give 

While still we live 
A message of good cheer, 

For many things 

God's blessing brings 
To all of us each year. 

He brings the rain 

That makes the grain 
From which we get our bread, 

And then besides 

His hand provides 
All things from which we're fed. 

He gives us health . 

And every wealth 
Of body and of mind, 

He makes us free 

To ever be 
At peace with all man kind. 

Then let our song 

The sound prolong 
With one increasing strain, 

For ev'ry year 

Becomes more dear 
As long as God doth reign. 

57 



THE BIBLE TEACHER 

To teach the Bible as we ought 
And thus arrive at its true thought 

We need to be in perfect line 
With God's redemptive plan 
For weak and fallen man, 

That thus through us may ever shine 
The light of Peace divine. 

Let us by God's unchanging grace 
This pure and holy Light embrace, 

And then, as teachers, strive to live 
A life in harmony 
And perfect sympathy 

With every precept that we give. 

Then those we teach we may inspire 
To seek the Light with true desire 

To yield themselves to His command, 
Then turn away from sin 
And let the Saviour in 

To guide their lives by His strong hind 
To heaven's peaceful land. 

Then they themselves will teachers be 
To spread the tidings glad and free, 

And bring the lost into the fold 
Where they may live in peace 
And have a sure release, 

Where they'll be rescued from the cold 
And Satan's grasping hold. 



58 



And on and on the work will go, 

For each new convert makes it grow, 

As he himself becomes a part, 
And in his sphere will reach 
Some one whom he can teach 

The way of life and how to start 
To find the Christ-child's heart. 

This way to us the Gospel came, 
This way we hope to give the same, 

And ask that you shall pass it on, 
That there may be no brake 
Till we at last shall wake 

Up in the Bible teacher's home 
Around the great white throne. 



59 



FORWARD 

Forward is the watch-word, 
Our Captain gives command, 

With loyal hearts 

In all the parts 
Of our little band 
We move at His command. 

No backward glance is seen, 
Nor falt'ring foot-step heard, 

But all abreast 

With equal zest 
Receive the signal word 
Within their minds serene. 

No brooding o'er the past 

Of "good old days gone by," 
When younger feet 
Were pressed to meet 

The onward battle cry 

In which we then were classed. 

No doubts disturb the mind, 
No strife divides our force, 

We march to-day 

In glad array; 
United in our course 
We leave the past behind. 



60 



We live and act to-day 
Within our proper ken, 

And thus we prove 

Our right to move 
With forward-looking men 
Along the upward way. 

To waver means defeat, 
Therefore we hold our ground 

With steady grip, 

And ne'er let slip 
A chance that we have found 
To force our foe's retreat. 

We're pressing towards the shore 
Of crowning victory, 

Where we shall see 

Our banners free 
From stains of tyranny, 
And furled forevermore. 

And when the goal is won 
We'll lay our armor down, 

And sing of peace 

And sweet release; 
Our Captain we will crown 
As Valor's noblest Son. 



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